THOMASTON COUNCIL WORKING ON EMPLOYEE PAY HIKES

THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL HAGGLED OVER PAY RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE PROPOSED 2020 BUDGET—DURING A WORK SESSION—TUESDAY. DUE TO RETENTION ISSUES STAFF RECOMMENDS MORE FOR CERTIFIED POLICE OFFICERS AND ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT LINEMAN—BUT COUNCILMAN JEFF MIDDLEBROOKS SAID GIVING MORE TO SOME—HURTS MORALE.

POLICE CHIEF MIKE RICHARDSON TOLD COUNCIL ENTRY LEVEL COPS PAY IS $500 BEHIND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND HE HAD AN OFFICER NOTIFY HIM JUST LAST WEEK HE'S RESIGNING TO TAKE A JOB WITH LOCUS GROVE P.D. AT HIGHER PAY.

STAFF RECOMMENDS A 5% PAY RAISE FOR POLICE AND LINEMAN AND 1.75% FOR ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES. CITY MANAGER RUSSELL THOMPSON SAYS CITY HALL IS WORKING TOWARD A $200,000 SURPLUS IN THE 2020 BUDGET EARMARKED FOR ME-AG/PLANT VOGTLE DEBT.